Original Paper

Attitudes towards Diagnostic Tests and Therapies for Dry Eye Disease
Joanna E. Graham^a, Victoria E. McGilligan^a, Daniel Berrar^a, Antonio Leccisotti^{a, d}, Jonathan E. Moore^{a, b}, Anthony J. Bron^c, Tara C.B. Moore<sup>a

a</sup>Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, and
^bBelfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, and
^cNuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK;
^dCasa di Cura Rugani, Siena, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmic Res 2010;43:11-17 (DOI: 10.1159/000246573)

  Key Words

• Diagnostic tests
• Dry eye
• Survey

  Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to survey the attitudes of optometrists and ophthalmologists, located in a number of different countries, towards diagnostic tests and therapies for dry eye disease. Methods: A web-based questionnaire was used to survey attitudes using forced-choice questions and Likert scales. Results: Sixty-one respondents (23 ophthalmologists and 38 optometrists) reported a wide range of patient dry eye symptoms. A large variation in use of diagnostic tests was noted. Patient symptoms and fluorescein staining were reported to be significantly more valuable and more frequently performed than any other test. Artificial tear supplements and improved lid hygiene were the preferred therapeutic options selected by the entire group. The results demonstrated a wide variation in attitudes in relation to satisfaction with the range of available diagnostic and therapeutic options. Conclusions: This study indicates that the interest for the issue of dry eye is relatively limited amongst eye professionals, as demonstrated by the poor participation in the questionnaire.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Tara Moore, PhD
Room W1057, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster
Cromore Road
Coleraine BT52 1SA (UK)
Tel. +44 28 7032 4577, Fax +44 28 7032 4375, E-Mail t.moore@ulster.ac.uk

  Article Information

Joanna E. Graham and Victoria E. McGilligan contributed equally to this paper.

Received: August 25, 2008
Accepted after revision: October 30, 2008
Published online: October 14, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 24